Cover for springs



Jan. 29, 1929.

L. M DIXON COVER FOR SPRINGS Filed Aug. 11, 1924 g z: %INVENTOR Y WM. ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 29, 1929.

LEWIS M. DIXON, 0F BLOOMFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE- HALF TO STANLEY, BOLIN AND ONE-HALF TO LEONARD M.

:IBOLIN, BOTH." OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

oovnn roa srames.

Application am August 11, 1924. Serial No. 781,264.

My invention relates to covers for springs and. is particularly directed to covers for springs such as are employed in automobiles.

Of course, I am aware that covers have been made for springs prior-to my invention in agreat many forms and varieties. However, these covers havebeen unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. (For instance, when made of leather,-they must be laced in place on the spring, thereby presenting an unsightly appearance as well.- as catchin grease from the roadway, which isliard to re- 'move from the laces. Then again, such covers, andeven those made of metal, leak oil or other lubricant employed for lubricating the spring.

One ofthe objects of my invention, there- 'fore, is to provide'a spring cover which will eliminate these drawbacks, and to this end I provide a cover of oil or grease-proof mate- .rial snugly fitting the spring without'laeing, the exterior of the cover presenting a smooth and neat appearance. I

A still further object of my invention resides in the provision of a cover having all of the foregoing advantages together, with means, if desired, for carrying oil or grease for the purpose of lubricating the spring.

Further objects of my invention will be manifest from the I following description and the accompanying drawings, in which drawin s- Fig.

a spr ng provide with my improved cover;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a section'on the line. 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction'of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of lock oint; and

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective similar to another embodiment of my invention.

Referrin g to the drawings in detail and first of all to Fi s. 1, 2-and 3, 1- designates a vehicle spring o the laminated or leaf type comprisin a plurality of leaves 2, end spring .clips 3 an 4, and a central clamp 5 by means of which the spring is secured to the axle or other suitable part of a vehicle. 6 designates a-flexible' cover composed of moulded rubber,

for example, adapted to be placed over the s ring to cover t t 0 cover be" I I through the wa l for this purpose;

dirt and Y is a lon itudinalxsectional view of e same from end to end, provided with an o en ing 7 he 8x118.

cent edges of the opening 7 are moulded so as to provide a male joint member 8 and a female joint member 9, which receives the same. If desired, when the cover is being applied,

the oint may be brushed with cement to make the cover substantially jointless. In the modification shown in' Fi 4 the members 8 and 9 of the joint are reinforced by means of spring steel strips 10 or. the

which is not tubular in the, sense of this de-,

scription in that an opening 7 is provided through'one' wall thereof.

This tube. 11 is preferably moulded into the shape of the spring, but in any event. is large enough to enable the same to be pulled or slipped over the spring before the shackles (not shown). are, pat in place, so asto telescope and enclose it. The vertical side walls of the tube 11 are lined as indicated at 12 with oil or grease-absorbing material, and before the. cover. is applied to the spring this lining is saturated with oil or grease to thereby provide a simple method of lubrication for the spring It is-to. be understood that the form shown in Figs. 1 tov 4, inclusive, may also be provided with a similar lining, if desired.

In the mouldin of the cover in either of the forms herein disclosed provision may be made for the spring clips 3 and 4 b providing a slightly enlarged portion or ulge the shape of the spring clips. This bulge will give a neat appearance on the outside of the cover of a smooth swelling.

If desired, extensions similar in construction to the cover ma be provided at each end of the spring to em ose the shackles.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described inasmuch asthe samemay'be varied'within t. e purview of m invention.

at I claim is: a 1. A moulded flexible cover fora vehicle spring, formed with means for locking the same in place about a spring.

2. A moulded flexible oil-proof cover for a yehiclespring, formed with an integral lock oint. I

3. .A cover fora spring comprising a flexible member provided with a longltudinal opening through the wall thereof, the edges said opening being shaped to form a lock spring and slitted longitudinally to permit 6 joint.

4. A moulded cover for a spring, formed of flexible oil-proof material, provided with means for lubricating the spring, and a longitudinally extending lock joint for locking 10 the same in lace about the spring.

5; A moulded cover for a spring, formed of flexible material and provided with a lock joint, the members of which are reinforced.

. 6,. A cover for a vehicle spring, comprising one piece of moulded flexible material, a lock joint provided thereon for locking the cover about the spring, and lubricating means within said cover.

7. A cover for a. vehicle spring, comprising a moulded rubber member having an opening through one Wall thereof shaped to form a lock joint for retaining the cover in place on the spring.

8. A spring cover which consists of a cas ing of softrubbe'r molded to fit about the application to or removal from the spring upon lateral expansion at the slit.

9. A spring cover which consists of a casing of soft rubber molded to fit about the spring and slitted longitudinally to permit application to or removal from the spring upon lateral expansion at the slit, the slit being arranged along the bottom of the easing, and the meeting edges of the casing at the slit being in perpendicular abutment and having formations thereon for;cooperation with suitable attaching means.

This specification signed this 8th daf, of August, 1924.

LEWIS M. DIXON. 

